Elleny Jade Matthews pleads guilty to driving onto Sunshine Coast Marathon course

Marathon participants watched on in horror as a young woman drove through the Cotton Tree course. Now, the next step in her lengthy court matter has been revealed.

A 21-year-old Maroochydore woman has pleaded guilty after she drove onto the course of the Sunshine Coast Marathon in August, 2022.

Elleny Jade Matthews was filmed behind the wheel of the white car, which entered the course on Cotton Tree Pde after failing to stop for police, while participants watched on in horror.

On February 2, 2023, she faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three charges from the day, including dangerous operation, driving unlicensed and failing to stop for police.

Elleny Jade Matthews. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

She also pleaded guilty to a further 13 charges spanning February 7 to August 5, 2022, including:

Contravening a probation order

Possessing marijuana

Possessing drug utensils (A bong and a coffee grinder)

Possessing a knife in a public place

Driving with a drug present in her saliva

Driving unlicensed

Driving under the influence

Failing to provide a specimen of blood for a blood alcohol reading

Unlawful use of a motor vehicle

Failing to stop for police

Defence lawyer Luke Bull asked for a lengthy adjournment for his client to allow for her other matters in a higher court to be dealt with first.

Matthews, who appeared in court via videolink, was remanded in custody and will return to court on June 7.

Originally published as Elleny Jade Matthews pleads guilty to driving onto Sunshine Coast Marathon course